Two Air Force Pilots Killed During Training Session in Su-30MKI Crash in Assam

Search and rescue mission was initiated after the Sukhoi-30MKI aircraft lost touch with the ground staff after taking off from the Jorhat airbase.

The Wire Staff

Search and rescue mission was initiated after the Sukhoi-30MKI aircraft lost touch with the ground staff after taking off from the Jorhat airbase.

two air force pilots killed during training session in su 30mki crash in assam

Images of squadron leader Anuj and flight lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar. Photo: X/@IAF_MCC.

New Delhi: Two Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots, squadron leader Anuj and flight lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar, lost their lives when their Su-30MKI fighter jet crashed in Assam's Karbi Anglong district during a training mission on Thursday (March 5) evening.

In a post on X, the IAF said both the officers sustained fatal injuries in the crash. “The IAF acknowledges the loss of Sqn Ldr Anuj and Flt Lt Purvesh Duragkar, who sustained fatal injuries in the Su-30 crash. All personnel of the IAF express sincere condolences and stand firmly with the bereaved family in this time of grief,” the IAF said.

IAF acknowledges the loss of Sqn Ldr Anuj and Flt Lt Purvesh Duragkar, who sustained fatal injuries in the Su-30 crash. All personnel of the IAF express sincere condolences, and stand firmly with the bereaved family in this time of grief.@DefenceMinIndia @SpokespersonMoD… pic.twitter.com/zUtfUJ2ewr
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) March 6, 2026

Earlier, the IAF mentioned in a post on X that search and rescue mission was initiated after the Sukhoi-30MKI aircraft lost touch with the ground staff. It took off from the Jorhat airbase on Thursday evening and was last in contact at 7.42 pm.

"An IAF Su-30 MKI is reported overdue. The aircraft had taken off from Jorhat, Assam and was last in contact at 7.42 pm. Further details are being ascertained. Search and Rescue mission has been initiated," said IAF.

An IAF Su-30 MKI is reported overdue. The aircraft had taken off from Jorhat, Assam and was last in contact at 7.42 pm.
Further details are being ascertained. Search and Rescue mission has been initiated.@DefenceMinIndia @SpokespersonMoD @HQ_IDS_India @adgpi @Indiannavy
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) March 5, 2026

The aircraft crashed in Karbi Anglong district, about 60 kilometres from Jorhat. Some unverified images of the alleged crash site, a remote hill area close to the Nilip block in Karbi Anglong, were circulated on social media.

This article went live on March sixth, two thousand twenty six, at zero minutes past eight in the evening.

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